Vented container for flowable media

Abstract

A venting container prevents the incursion of contaminants and water during the breathing of the contents and has a central body received in a collar in the top wall of the container and adapted to accommodate a filter element. The central body is secured to a cover which is provided with break-away means signalling improper opening of the container and with a protective cap turned toward the interior thereof.

We claim: 
     
       1. A vented container for a flowable substance comprising: a receptacle having a top wall formed with a circular cross section collar surrounding a collar opening;   a hollow cylindrical central body received in said collar opening and formed with a bottom provided with at least one aperture communicating with an interior of said receptacle, and an annular flange at an upper end of said body engaging against an annular seal on said collar;   a filter element in said central body;   a protective cap fixed on said bottom of said central body and provided with at least one passage connecting said aperture with said interior of said receptacle;   a flat cover overlying said upper end of said central body, surrounding said flange and connected therewith by joining elements, communicating between an inner space of said central body and ambient atmosphere externally of said collar and said cover, said cylindrical central body, said protective cap and said cover being connected together; and   a break-away element connected to said cover and rupturing upon opening of said cover, wherein said break-away element is a sheet cap extending over said cover and fastened to said cover at joining elements.   
     
     
       2. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said central body, said protective cap and said flat cover are composed of synthetic resin. 
     
     
       3. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said cover is formed on an upper side thereof with recesses shaped to accommodate a tool for opening said cover. 
     
     
       4. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein a flow-resistant mat is applied over said apertures. 
     
     
       5. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein a flow-resistant mat is applied over a hollow interior of said central body. 
     
     
       6. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein a hollow interior of said central body contains said filter element. 
     
     
       7. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is of conical configuration. 
     
     
       8. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is of spherical segmental configuration. 
     
     
       9. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is concave toward said interior. 
     
     
       10. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is convex toward said interior. 
     
     
       11. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said body is provided on a screw cover adapted to be threaded onto said collar. 
     
     
       12. The vented container defined in claim 1 wherein said central body extends toward said interior beyond said bottom and defines an upper chamber containing said filter element above said bottom and a lower chamber below said bottom, said vented container further comprising a check valve between said upper and lower chambers. 
     
     
       13. The vented container defined in claim 12 wherein said protective cap is fixed to said body below said check valve. 
     
     
       14. A vented container for a flowable substance comprising: a blow-molded receptacle of a plastic having a top wall formed with a circular cross section collar surrounding a collar opening, and an outlet at a bottom portion of said receptacle;   a hollow cylindrical central body of plastic received in said collar opening and formed with a bottom provided with at least one aperture communicating with an interior of said receptacle, and an annular flange at an upper end of said body engaging against an annular seal on said collar;   a filter element in said central body;   a protective cap of plastic fixed on said bottom of said central body and provided with at least one passage connecting said aperture with said interior of said receptacle;   a flat cover of plastic overlying said upper end of said central body, surrounding said flange and connected therewith by joining elements, said cover being formed in regions between said joining elements with venting slits communicating between an inner space of said central body and ambient atmosphere externally of said collar and said cover, said cylindrical central body, said protective cap and said cover being connected together; and   a break-away element connected to said cover and rupturing upon opening of said cover, said cover being formed on an upper side thereof with recesses shaped to accommodate a tool for opening said cover, wherein said break-away element is a sheet cap extending over said cover and fastened to said cover at joining elements.   
     
     
       15. The vented container defined in claim 14 wherein said cap is of conical or spherical segmental configuration and said cap is concave or convex toward said interior. 
     
     
       16. The vented container defined in claim 14 wherein said central body extends toward said interior beyond said bottom and defines an upper chamber containing said filter element above said bottom and a lower chamber below said bottom, said vented container further comprising a check valve between said upper and lower chambers, and said protective cap is fixed to said body below said check valve. 
     
     
       17. The vented container defined in claim 14 wherein said body is provided on a screw cover adapted to be threaded onto said collar.